Combination Key Chain and Tape Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A combination key chain and tape dispenser is provided. The tape dispenser includes a cylindrical housing having first portion hingedly connected to a second portion defining an interior volume therebetween. The interior volume comprises a plurality of compartments configured to receive a roll of tape, wherein each compartment is separated by a partition. The first portion comprises an aperture adapted to receive an elongated strip of tape therethrough. The second portion comprises a serrated edge adapted to cut the tape. Tape can be fed through the aperture, secured over a gap between a stall door and an adjacent partition panel to ensure privacy and security in the restroom, and severed from the device using the serrated edge. A keyring attachment is secured to the second portion thereby allowing the user to attach the device to or remove the device from an article for easy transportation and use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/086,256 filed on Dec. 2, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tape dispenser. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination keychain and tape dispenser.

Most people desire privacy in public stalls such as in restrooms, showers, locker rooms, changing rooms, fitting rooms, and other such places. Public stalls are typically formed by an arrangement of partition panels and a door that swings between an opened position and a closed position. A gap exists between adjacent partition panels as well as between the partition panels and the door. Often times, this gap is quite large, allowing a person outside of the stall to invade the privacy of the occupant by peering through the gap. This problem can be particularly distressing for parents with small children who are using such a stall.

Although the stall door and the partition panels are configured to provide a considerable amount of privacy for occupants, many individuals desire complete privacy when using a bathroom stall. Some individuals may forego using the stall entirely. Others resort to attempting to cover the gap by placing a bag or a coat over it, but these items do not cover the entire gap. Thus, there is need for a device that can completely cover the gap on bathroom stalls.

In another situation, the latch on the public stall door is inoperative or the gap between the stall door and the adjacent partition panel is so great that the latch is ineffective. In both instances, the door has the ability to swing open while the stall is occupied. In this situation, there is an even greater privacy concern. Therefore, there is a need for a device that can be used to secure a stall door to an adjacent partition panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of privacy devices for stalls now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a privacy device comprising a combination key chain and tape dispenser wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when covering a gap between a stall door and an adjacent partition panel to ensure privacy and security.

The present system comprises a cylindrical housing having a first portion hingedly attached to a second portion defining an interior volume therebetween. A fastener on the housing can be used to secure the first portion to the second portion. The interior volume comprises one or more compartments configured to rotatably receive a roll of tape. The first portion comprises an aperture adapted to receive an elongated strip of tape. The second portion comprises a serrated edge composed of a metal strip having a plurality of teeth.

Once a compartment receives a roll of tape, an elongated strip of tape can be fed through the aperture. The elongated strip of tape can be secured to the stall door and adjacent partition panel thereby covering the gap. The user can pull the housing downward while securing the newly exposed tape over the gap. After dispensing the desired amount of tape, the user can sever the elongated strip of tape from the device by pulling the tape in a direction against the serrated edge. The second portion of the housing further comprises a keyring attachment connected thereto, which allows the user to secure the device to various articles for easy access and convenient transportation of the device. The upper section and the lower section are hingedly attached such that the interior volume can be opened or closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows an interior view of the empty combination key chain and tape dispenser.

FIG. 2 shows an interior view of the combination key chain and tape dispenser filled with tape.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the combination key chain and tape dispenser in use over a gap between a stall door and an adjacent partition panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the combination key chain and tape measure. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for covering a gap between a stall door and an adjacent partition panel to ensure privacy. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown interior views of the combination key chain and tape dispenser, empty and filled with tape, respectively. In the depicted embodiment, the combination key chain and tape dispenser comprises a substantially cylindrical housing 100, although it is contemplated that the housing 100 can be a plurality of shapes suitable for dispensing tape. The housing 100 includes a first portion 102 and a second portion 104 that are hingedly attached to each other. In the depicted embodiment, the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 have a semi-circular cross-section that form a cylinder when secured together.

The first portion 102 and the second portion 104 define a hollow interior volume of the housing 100. In the depicted embodiment, the interior volume includes two or more compartments 106 formed within the interior volume, wherein each compartment 106 is separated by a partition 108. In various embodiments, the interior volume is a single elongated compartment such that no partition is required. The first portion 102 and the second portion 104 include a fastener adapted to enclose the interior volume of the housing 100. Preferably, the fastener is a snap connection wherein the first portion 102 comprises a male threaded lip and the second portion 104 comprises a female threaded lip such that the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 can be securably attached.

In the depicted embodiment, the interior volume is curved such that the contours of a roll of tape 110 can fit therein. The roll of tape 110 is disposed within a compartment 106 such that the tape 110 can freely rotate therein. The roll of tape 110 is preferably in a coiled configuration to allow a user to feed an elongated strip of tape 110 through an aperture 112 in the first portion 102 of the housing 100. In various embodiments, the interior volume comprises a spring-loaded mechanism.

The second portion 104 of the housing 100 comprises a serrated edge 114 adapted to cut the tape 110 to a desired length. The serrated edge 114 comprises a metal strip having a plurality of teeth. The teeth are sharp enough to cut through the type of tape 110 disposed in the compartment 106. The tape 110 is a size sufficient to bridge the gap between a stall door and an adjacent partition panel to ensure privacy. In an alternative embodiment, the roll of tape 110 can include perforations along the length of the tape that correspond to a standard length of a bathroom stall door.

The housing 100 further comprises a keyring attachment 116 adapted to be secured to a keychain or another suitable article. In the depicted embodiment, the keyring attachment 116 extends from the second portion 104 of the housing 100; however, the keyring attachment 116 may extend from any similar position on the housing 100. The keyring attachment 116 is composed of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The keyring attachment 116 allows the user to secure the device to various articles for easy access and convenient transportation of the device. In the depicted embodiment, the keyring attachment 116 comprises a plurality of interconnected rings thereby enabling the device to rotate while the keyring attachment is secured to a stationary object. Rotation of the keyring attachment allows for easier manipulation of the device by the user.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the combination key chain and tape dispenser in use over a gap between a stall door and an adjacent partition panel. In use, an elongated strip of tape 110 is adhesively secured over the gap formed between the stall door 118 and the partition panel 120. The elongated strip of tape 110 is dispensed from the housing 100 through the aperture 112 in the first portion 102 of the housing 100. Preferably, the user continues to secure the elongated strip of tape 110 over the gap while pulling downward on the housing 100. The ability of the roll of tape 110 to rotate freely in the compartment 106 allows the tape 110 to be pulled through the aperture 112 as needed. When the user is satisfied that the gap has been adequately covered, the user can pull the elongated strip of tape 110 in a direction against the serrated edge 114 thereby severing the elongated strip of tape 110 from the device. Thereafter, the tape 110 blocks those outside the stall from seeing through the gap into the stall. Preferably, the tape 110 is composed of flushable material thereby allowing a user to quickly dispose of the tape 110 by flushing it down the toilet after use.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A combination key chain and tape dispenser, comprising: a housing having a first portion hingedly connected to a second portion defining an interior volume therebetween; wherein the interior volume comprises a compartment configured to receive a roll of tape therein; a fastener attached to the housing adapted to secure the first portion to the second portion; an aperture in the housing is configured to receive an elongated strip of tape therethrough; and a serrated edge disposed along the housing. 2) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the interior volume comprises a plurality of compartments separated by a partition. 3) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing is a cylindrical shape. 4) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are semi-circular cross-sections that form a cylinder when secured together. 5) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a snap connection between the first portion having a male threaded lip and the second portion having female threaded lip. 6) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the serrated edge is composed of a metal strip having a plurality of teeth disposed thereacross. 7) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the compartment is curved. 8) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a keyring attachment connected to the housing. 9) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 8, wherein the keyring attachment is connected to the second portion of the housing. 10) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 8, wherein the keyring attachment comprises a plurality of interconnected rings. 11) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a spring-loaded mechanism secured within the interior volume. 12) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the roll of tape has a width wider than a gap between a stall door and an adjacent partition panel. 13) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the roll of tape is composed of flushable material. 14) The combination key chain and tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the roll of tape has perforations. 